Tomorrow would be the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. The commoners who had spent New Year's Eve in the chaos of war and horses had once again found the feeling of festivities. Ever since General He left in depression, the officials of Jiming Posthouse had gradually invited each other to banquets more frequently.
The appointment from the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs that Thousand Households Wu had mentioned would only arrive ten days later. Yang Ling had fully experienced the difference in efficiency between the secret intelligence system and the official channels.
Today, County Magistrate Min hosted a banquet to entertain Bi Dusi. Although the court had not announced the rewards and punishments, everyone knew that County Magistrate Min's promotion was imminent. Although Huailai was defeated, the responsibility was not on the magistrate. As a civil official, the magistrate was able to kill the enemy prince. In the eyes of the Emperor and the scholars, his political significance was far greater than the essence of the war.
While he was enjoying his wine, Min Zhixian approached Yang Ling with a smile and whispered,""My Advisor Yang, my brother-in-law has sent me news that the capital wants to transfer me to the south. I heard that I will be transferred to the deputy envoy of the Haining Salt Transportation Department.”
Yang Ling didn't know how high the rank of this official was, but seeing Min Zhixian's cheerful face, he guessed that it must be a high rank official. Moreover, Haining was a remote and desolate border area, so it was naturally incomparable. Yang Ling hurriedly cupped his hands and said,"" Congratulations, Milord. Congratulations, Milord."
The deputy envoy of the Salt Transportation Division was a rank 5 official. Min Wenjian, a county magistrate of a third-grade county, had been promoted three ranks in a row. Most importantly, the salt envoy was an absolutely excellent position. The salt merchants in that area were all billionaires. A little bit of salt leaked from the gaps of their fingers was enough to feed them for a lifetime.
Min Zhixian was so happy that his eyes couldn't be seen. He waved his hands and said,""Lower your voice, lower your voice. The imperial edict hasn't come down yet, so we can't say anything.”He looked at the officials who were chatting merrily, then said to Yang Ling,"" Once this county has settled down, I'll help you move around and transfer you to Jiangnan. This county has been stuck in this barren land for two years without any achievements. Once you came, this county was promoted. You're my lucky star."
It's good to be transferred to Jiangnan, but do I still have the life to enjoy life? Besides, my current public identity is the deputy of the posthouse, and I'm already a hundred men of the Jinyiwei who is one level higher than your boss. Without the approval of the Jinyiwei, how can it be so easy to transfer me?
Thinking of this, Yang Ling forced a smile and said," Yang Ling is truly grateful for Sir's care and nurturing of me. There's nothing I can do to repay you." Min Zhixian could not help but laugh when he saw Yang Ling's absent-minded expression. He punched Yang Ling's shoulder and said affectionately,""A real man has ambition. Don't be so useless. Besides, after I take office, it will take me a year and a half to find an opportunity to transfer you. If you're quick, you've even given birth to a child in such a long time. Since you have the heart, you should do it early and stop being so wishy-washy.”
Yang Ling was like a diamond, confused.""What? Why can't I understand what you're saying?”Min Zhixian pursed his lips and squinted his eyes.""Brat, you are not honest. Everyone already knows about this matter, but you still want to hide it from me? Hehe, no wonder you hid it. That girl is really tender. But don't worry, I don't like women, hahaha.。。。。。”。
Yang Ling was still confused and wanted to ask more questions, but Bi Dusi had already called Min Zhixian over. He turned around in confusion, and Liu Dianshi walked over with a smile, raising his cup and congratulating him,""Brother Yang, congratulations on your double happiness. You were appointed as the deputy of the post station a few days ago, and you're going to take the examination in a few days. At that time, this Liu will have to drink a cup of wine."
" You're too kind, Lord Liu." Yang Ling smiled and drank a cup of wine. He then understood what was going on. What did he mean when he said that he would pass the examination?”
Yang Ling wanted to get to the bottom of this, but these people were only drinking and chatting around. They would chat with anyone they met. After Chief Physician Liu finished speaking, he walked toward the Wang family's registrar. Yang Ling's gaze was on him, and he did not even notice Deputy Huang walking to his side.
County Deputy Huang walked to his side, coughed lightly, and smiled.""Lord Min is about to be promoted. With your qualifications and relationship with Lord Min, I think you can reach the seventh rank in a few years. Whether you can jump through the dragon gate in the future depends on your luck. You're still young, so you just need to be cautious as an official. Once the wind and clouds meet, your future will naturally be boundless. You can't be anxious."
Yang Ling saw that Deputy Huang had arrived and quickly said respectfully,""Thank you for your guidance, Elder Huang.”
Seeing that no one was paying attention, Deputy Huang suddenly lowered his voice and said,""However, you were too rash in this matter. Although Ma tribe has declined, they were once an official family. Now that everyone knows about your matter, why don't you buy a concubine? If you are short of money, I still have some savings over the years. You can use them first.”
"What did you say, Elder Huang?" Yang Ling was shocked. Concubine? This, when did I say that I wanted to take a concubine, and besides, Ma Family's Young Lady has no reason to be a concubine?”
His words shocked Deputy Huang and he hurriedly said,""Jingsheng, Jingsheng, be careful with your words, be careful with your words. What nonsense are you talking about? Being a concubine was not good for her face, but no one would laugh at her. If you say this, if it were to spread, would Ma tribe's young miss still be able to live?”
"Elder Huang, what exactly happened?" Yang Ling asked in shock. Why can't I understand?"
County Magistrate Huang smiled." Taking a concubine and betrothing a beauty is a romantic and elegant thing. Why are you still so shy?" That day when you and Miss Ma returned to the city, Magistrate Min and I heard from Miss Ma that we spent a night together in the mountain forest and snow cave.
Yang Ling only came to a realization when he heard this, and he couldn't help but chuckle." Elder Huang, you've misunderstood. Miss Ma and I had no choice but to hide in the snow cave because of the cold weather. There was no such thing." As he said this, he remembered that the two of them had hugged for a night. Even in modern times, it was still ambiguous. He could not continue.
County Deputy Huang twirled his beard and said unhappily,""It's true that a man and a woman spent a night together, right? Since she told you about her experience in public, it's obvious that she has feelings for you. A woman's reputation and integrity are more important. Can she still choose a husband and remarry? To be rich, one must be benevolent. To be an official, one must be upright. You are a person who has read the books of sages. Don't you understand this? I treat you like a nephew, that's why I treat you so sincerely. Don't make a mistake."
Yang Ling was at a loss for words.。。。。。
The snow creaked under Yang Ling's feet as he walked along the walls of the passageway. He walked to the fourth inn and raised his head to see the lanterns in Ma Lian 'er's yard lit up. Yang Ling recalled what Deputy Huang had said at the banquet. He had a thought and slowly walked over.
The door wasn't closed, and he could see smoke coming out from inside under the light. Yang Ling walked to the door and saw Ma Lian 'er sitting on a stool in front of the stove. She had one hand supporting her cheek and the other handing firewood to the stove. She looked bored, and her posture was charming.
The light from the fire reflected her fair face, which was as white as jade. It reflected a beautiful blush, and her charming eyes faintly revealed a mature charm. Tribulations made people mature. Compared to when they first met, this young lady was less arrogant and frivolous. She inadvertently had a demure and steady temperament.
Yang Ling gently knocked on the door frame. Ma Lian 'er raised her head and saw that it was him. Joy and affection flashed across her eyes. She was so excited that she wanted to stand up, but she immediately restrained her emotions and smiled."I haven't seen you for a long time since I returned to the city. Has the banquet ended?”
Yang Ling had a thought and could not help but ask,""How did you know that I was going to attend the banquet?”
Ma Lian 'er did not answer him, only using her pair of eyes that could speak to look at him deeply. Yang Ling was instantly stifled. He already knew that Ma Lian' er must have been paying attention to his every move these past few days. Was she really joking about what she said that night at the Five Barriers Ridge?
"Since she told you about her experience in public, it's obvious that she has feelings for you. A woman's reputation is more important.”Yang Ling suddenly understood what Deputy Huang had said. He didn't know that there were so many taboos, so how could Ma Lian 'er not know? When she said those things, it was obvious that she was creating a fait accompli and using the fishing boat to marry her.
Yang Ling could not help but smile bitterly." Miss Lian, you deliberately told Lord Min and the others about us getting lost in the forest and spending a night in the snow cave, didn't you?" You clearly know that those red tape will kill people, but you still joke about your reputation. How can you do such a stupid thing?”
Ma Lian 'er's hand that was passing the firewood stopped. After a moment of silence, she suddenly giggled and said,"Isn't it good to be stupid? Wasn't it often said that a woman's lack of talent was virtue? Do you like me to be smarter or dumber?”Her smile was a little sly, but also a little smug that her trick had succeeded.
Yang Ling stomped his feet and said,"Why are you so ignorant?" You talk about dead people, you...。。You're too rash!"
Ma Lian 'er's hand trembled. She did not raise her head and just stiffly lowered her head. After a while, she suddenly choked and said,"Yang Ling, do you hate me?”
The red furnace was spitting out flames. Yang Ling saw a crystal tear drop on the back of her hand, and his heart softened. He coaxed her,""How could that be? When did you see me hate you?”
"Of course." Ma Lian 'er smiled through her tears.。。。。。I've never seen you before. I can tell if you like me or not.”Under the illumination of the red fire, that bright smile was in high spirits, with a hint of joy and pride.
Yang Ling was frustrated. Not only did this girl look like a vixen, but her heart was also like a little fox. He really didn't know if she was really sad or pretending to be sad. She didn't look like she had just cried.
Being stared at by him, Ma Lian 'er actually felt shy. She shyly lowered her head and said with a red face,"Brother Yang, it was my fault that night. You're right. If you really divorced your mother, would you still be worthy of my love? That night, when I saw the way you looked at your young mother, I knew that no one would ever be able to replace her in your heart. How could I dare to hope to replace her?。。。。。I only hope that you can treat me well, and I'll be satisfied.”
She stared at the flickering flames with a dreamy look in her eyes, her eyes filled with longing for happiness. She said in a dreamy voice,"As long as I have a husband who dotes on me and loves me, I will be satisfied. I don't want to live in luxury. The name of the wife... If it was a man who treated women as his private property, like my father and many other men in our Ming Dynasty, would the so-called wife be able to give happiness to others?”
She spoke with confidence, revealing her true feelings to Yang Ling with a maturity that did not match her age," I grew up in the Frontier, so I don't do things and speak like the women of the Central Plains who know propriety, but I'm not a casual woman. Brother Yang, I'll strictly abide by my womanly principles and respect my young mother."
"You…" Yang Ling smiled bitterly.。。。Look at how smart you are usually, why are you so unreasonable? I won't go crazy with you. Tomorrow, I'll go and find Ma Ang to become sworn brothers. No one will gossip if the siblings hide together for their lives, right?”
Ma Lian 'er saw him turn around and leave. This time, it was her turn to panic. She quickly jumped up to stop him and threw herself into his arms. You only see me once every half a month. I won't allow you to leave."
" Let go!" Yang Ling panicked and said hurriedly," Let go! What if people see us?"”
Ma Lian 'er clung to his embrace and refused to let go. Her tears had not dried yet, and a fawning smile hung on her face."I'm the one who will lose my reputation and integrity, and I'm also the one who will be drowned by spit. If I'm not afraid, what are you afraid of?”
Yang Ling was at a loss for words.。。。。。I... "I'm worried about you." Ma Lian 'er's eyes rolled and she said charmingly,"I'm worried about you." You can still marry me, but I'm not married yet. I'm not afraid of others gossiping."
A trace of contempt and inexplicable hatred flashed in her eyes. Suddenly, she said angrily,"Listen to the shouting, why aren't you farming?”
Yang Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he stood there. Ma Lian smiled sweetly and wrapped her arms around Yang Ling's neck, saying in an intoxicated tone,""After that night, I missed your embrace and wanted to hear you tell me those stories that I was afraid of and wanted to hear. Did you know? From that night onwards, I couldn't bear to leave you.”
Her tone was very sincere, but her natural beauty had a seductive charm, but because she was still young, it was not so obvious. At this moment, she looked like a young girl in love. Her face was delicate and her cheeks were flushed. No matter how affectionate she was, there was always a demonic charm to it. It felt like she was deliberately seducing people.
She looked at Yang Ling's uneasy expression and said mischievously,""You really want to become sworn brothers with my big brother? Do you really want to be my godbrother?" His black and bright eyes were filled with flames as he lowered his head shyly, but he hummed a song softly." Dry firewood, blazing fire, good for cooking, godbrothers, godsisters, good for marriage." She only sang two lines before she threw herself into Yang Ling's arms in embarrassment, mustering her courage and saying,""I learned the song at the Great Wall, and you want to be my god-brother? Alright, I don't care!"
Yang Ling was completely petrified.”This young lady, who looked like a young lady in front of others, looked like a hot and unrestrained girl outside the pass in front of him. She did not hide it at all.
Ma Lian 'er mustered up her courage to confess, and the heat on her pretty face continued to rise. Her palm was pressed against Yang Ling's neck. The back of her hand was warm and hot, and it was baked by the stove. Was the pair of plump and alluring jade rabbits on her chest also warm and hot?
Yang Ling knew that he shouldn't think about it, but when his gaze fell on the beautiful curves of her chest, this thought involuntarily flashed through his mind. He only felt his lower abdomen heat up, and an uncontrollable restlessness almost made him lose control and kiss those cherry lips that he could take at will.
If he took another step, there would be no turning back. Yang Ling secretly warned himself, breaking free from Ma Lian's embrace. Ma Lian 'er was caught off guard and staggered back two steps. Her face turned pale, and her eyes, which were originally curved like the beautiful moon, suddenly became dull. She was like a death row prisoner being escorted to the execution ground, filled with fear.
If Yang Ling had feelings for her and wanted to take her in, why would he treat her like this? Ma Lian 'er tried her best to control herself, wanting to maintain her last bit of dignity. However, her tears flowed out uncontrollably, and at the same time, a desolate smile appeared on her lips.
Yang Ling couldn't help but turn his head away, saying softly,""Miss Lian, Yang Ling isn't someone you can entrust your life to. Really, what I said today was not for myself, nor for the young mother. I only said it for you. Two years, two years at most, and you will understand why I rejected you!”
He didn't dare to look back. He walked straight out and disappeared into the night. Ma Lian 'er slowly walked to the door. Her pair of lifeless eyes stared in the direction he had disappeared in a daze. After a while, she slowly looked up into the sky.
The sky was clear, and the moon was as bright as a silver plate. It lowered the sky and reflected countless stars.
Ma Lian 'er's eyes were hazy with tears as she murmured,"'When the golden wind and jade dew meet, they will surpass countless people in the world'.
I don't know what you're talking about, and I don't understand what excuses you're looking for. Perhaps to you, that night was nothing, but to me, it was a happiness that I'll never forget!”
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]